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Equipment Discussions >> Mounts

Pages: 1

stars_in_my_eyes
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 03/24/08

Breakdown piers with the ability to fold?
#2891032 - 01/27/09 01:11 PM

Has anyone seen an example of a FOLDING pier?

I am considering building a portable pier for a 6" refractor and would like to see what others have done with a pier that breaks down into separate pieces.

I am anticipating building one with a folding feature.

Any examples?

Thanks

Post Extras:

Jared
Post Laureate

Reged: 10/11/05

Loc: Piedmont, California, U.S.

Re: Breakdown piers with the ability to fold? new

[Re: stars_in_my_eyes]
#2891044 - 01/27/09 01:16 PM

I use an Astro-Physics 'Eagle' folding pier that I like a lot. Very stable, moderate ability to adjust for height (which can be improved with extensions), doesn't require a flat observing site, and no assembly/disassembly required.

Post Extras:

RAKing
Postmaster

Reged: 12/28/07

Loc: West of the D.C. Nebula

Re: Breakdown piers with the ability to fold? new

[Re: stars_in_my_eyes]
#2891053 - 01/27/09 01:21 PM

I use the Astro-Physics Portable Piers, in two different heights. They do not fold, but break down quickly and are easy to transport.

I wish I could afford the Eagle. The A-P Portable is the next best thing for me.

Ron

Post Extras:

sctchun
sage

Reged: 03/26/06

Loc: On a rock in the middle of the...

Re: Breakdown piers with the ability to fold? new

[Re: RAKing]
#2891887 - 01/27/09 07:59 PM

Both Pier Tech and Advanced Telescope Systems make portable piers.

http://www.pier-tech.com

http://www.advancedtelescope.com

Steven

Post Extras:

JerryWise
Postmaster

Reged: 12/26/03

Loc: Lexington, SC

Re: Breakdown piers with the ability to fold? new

[Re: sctchun]
#2892289 - 01/27/09 11:16 PM

I use the AP portable pier. It has been modified with a hospital bed lift unit. The pier is very solid and has adjustable elevation electronically.

Post Extras:

LLEEGE
True Blue

Reged: 03/03/05

Loc: Cloud-chester,NY

Re: Breakdown piers with the ability to fold? new

[Re: JerryWise]
#2892785 - 01/28/09 08:37 AM

Quote:

I use the AP portable pier. It has been modified with a hospital bed lift unit. The pier is very solid and has adjustable elevation electronically.

Jerry, got pics? Sounds like a neat project!

Post Extras:

JerryWise
Postmaster

Reged: 12/26/03

Loc: Lexington, SC

Re: Breakdown piers with the ability to fold? new

[Re: LLEEGE]
#2894398 - 01/28/09 09:02 PM Attachment (60 downloads)

Yep Luke.

Mount down:

Post Extras:

JerryWise
Postmaster

Reged: 12/26/03

Loc: Lexington, SC

Re: Breakdown piers with the ability to fold? new

[Re: JerryWise]
#2894400 - 01/28/09 09:03 PM Attachment (62 downloads)

Mount up. This is on a pier before I got the portable AP pier.

Post Extras:

LLEEGE
True Blue

Reged: 03/03/05

Loc: Cloud-chester,NY

Re: Breakdown piers with the ability to fold? new

[Re: JerryWise]
#2894436 - 01/28/09 09:22 PM

That's pretty darn slick, Jerry!

Post Extras:

LLEEGE
True Blue

Reged: 03/03/05

Loc: Cloud-chester,NY

Re: Breakdown piers with the ability to fold? new

[Re: LLEEGE]
#2894440 - 01/28/09 09:23 PM

That CW look familiar.

Post Extras:

JerryWise
Postmaster

Reged: 12/26/03

Loc: Lexington, SC

Re: Breakdown piers with the ability to fold? new

[Re: LLEEGE]
#2895103 - 01/29/09 07:40 AM

Quote:

That CW look familiar.

Yep. CGE counterweight screwed all the way in to the "mar the bar" point. I couldn't wait to try out the Mach 1 and the counterweights hadn't arrived yet. I keep two CGE weights just for the "hard times".

Post Extras:

Dan G
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 06/27/06

Loc: Minisink, NY, USA

Re: Breakdown piers with the ability to fold? new

[Re: JerryWise]
#2896558 - 01/29/09 08:19 PM

Jerry -

I like the idea of using the hospital bed motor. IIRC the AP portable pier is a single piece of pipe. What did you do to allow it to extend/retract?

Dan in NY

Post Extras:

jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more

Reged: 04/30/03

Loc: NE Ohio

Re: Breakdown piers with the ability to fold? new

[Re: Dan G]
#2896760 - 01/29/09 10:07 PM

Quote:

Jerry -

I like the idea of using the hospital bed motor.

Me, too! With the new refractor it would be a great benefit if I could raise it above roof level before swinging it around. Are those readily available?

Post Extras:

Ozy

Reged: 06/15/07

Loc: Goodyear, AZ

Re: Breakdown piers with the ability to fold? new

[Re: jrcrilly]
#2896887 - 01/29/09 11:42 PM

I've been using a Pinnacle pier from Particle Wave. It folds down very small which I then wrap in a blanket to transport. Plus it only weighs 32lbs!

Post Extras:

JerryWise
Postmaster

Reged: 12/26/03

Loc: Lexington, SC

Re: Breakdown piers with the ability to fold? new

[Re: Dan G]
#2897262 - 01/30/09 08:01 AM

Quote:

Jerry -

I like the idea of using the hospital bed motor. IIRC the AP portable pier is a single piece of pipe. What did you do to allow it to extend/retract?

Dan in NY

Dan, the pier is solid but that hospital bed lifter in the above images is mounted on top. This is the lifting mechanism. The pier I picked up on AM came with an AP-900 the seller purchased. He couldn't use it since it was the shortest one (32 inches). It works out perfectly with the short pier.

Post Extras:

JerryWise
Postmaster

Reged: 12/26/03

Loc: Lexington, SC

Re: Breakdown piers with the ability to fold? new

[Re: jrcrilly]
#2897266 - 01/30/09 08:04 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Jerry -

I like the idea of using the hospital bed motor.

Me, too! With the new refractor it would be a great benefit if I could raise it above roof level before swinging it around. Are those readily available?

John, Jeff (Neodinan) found a couple of these on EBay. It is the Linak LP2 and I think I paid about $200 for this one. I've tried to find more but they seem tightly controlled by specialty dealers. I'd love to get another one. I think the list on them is in the $500 range. Here is a link to our original thread.

Post Extras:

NHRob
Post Laureate

Reged: 08/27/04

Loc: New Hampshire

Re: Breakdown piers with the ability to fold? new

[Re: JerryWise]
#3014235 - 03/30/09 03:25 PM

I ordered one of these a year or two back, for an adjustable pier project. I sold it since I felt it wasn't quite as solid as I'd have liked.

Rob

Post Extras:

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